Gynaecological device

ABSTRACT

A gynecological device for birth control in the form of a resilient spiral filament the turns of which decrease in size from one end to the other to fit into the uterine cavity, the largest turn terminating in a bulged portion serving as a stop means for an instrument which assists the introduction of the device, the smallest turn terminating in a retaining cone which holds the device in position.

United States Patent inventor Robert Canel 2 rue Gustave Desplace,Aix-en-Provence Bouches du Rhone, France Appl. No. 744,023 Filed July11, 1968 Patented Feb. 9, 1971 GYNAECOLOGICAL DEVICE 2 Claims, 1 DrawingFig.

11.8. C1. 128/130, 128/127 Int. Cl A6lf 5/46 Field of Search 128/ 1 27,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,917,870 7/1933 Bley128/131 3,200,815 8/1965 Margu1ies.. .7 128/130 3,397,691 8/1968 Maxzlin128/130 Primary Examiner-Adele M. Eager Attorney-Stevens, Davis, Miller& Mosher ABSTRACT: A gynecological device for birth control in the formof a resilient spiral filament the turns of which decrease in size fromone end to the other to fit into the uterine cavity, the largest turnterminating in a bulged portion serving as a stop means for aninstrument which assists the introduction of the device, the smallestturn terminating in a retaining cone which holds the device in position.

1 GYNAECOLOGICAL DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Due topresent-day'technical development and the evolution of thinking as theresult of world population expansion and developments with regard tothose pathological cases wherein pregnancy is quite legally disallowed,various birth control methods have been proposed.

Some, known under the general name of pills, are administered orally.Theresult of this-treatment is to systematically compress conception bya very considerable addition of hormones. If, in the majority of cases,this very inconvenient form of treatment is well tolerated by theorganism, it sometimes happens, in certain unforeseeable cases, thatpatients suffer unpleasant secondary effects, notably circulatorytroubles, an increase in weight, dermatological and hepatorenaldisorders, etc. I

I A further means which has been well tested and involves no noteworthydanger of secondary'eflects, consists of a diaphragm which is placed inposition beforeintercourse takes place. However, a practice of this kindis repugnant to many couples who see, in this preparation, an offense tothe sentiments and even to the erotic stimuli preceding the sexual act.Furthermore, and this is an important factor, there are many failures."

Finally, numerous devices which are permanently introduced into theuterus prevent nidation and also set up a mechanical obstacle. Some aremade of metal 'and may, in the case of an impact, cause seriousaccidents. Furthermore, they are heavy and often not'well tolerated bythe mucous membranes which they sometimes upset. They also deteriorate,very rapidly and they frequently require to be removed.

1 Others are made of flexible plastics material and are I generallybetter tolerated by the mucous membranes. However, these apparatus,which frequently have various shapes, bear on the inner walls of themucous membrane only through the agency of branched tangent lines Itfollows that the uterus walls are in contact with the plastics or metalmaterial along lines which are proportionally thinner as the diameter orthe sides of the filaments constituting the branches are smaller. Now,it is necessary that the apparatus should remain in position andtherefore exert a constant and flexible force on the largest possiblesurface of the walls of the inner mucous membrane, doing so despite thevariations in this cavity. The stress thus developed is all the strongerin proportion as it is applied on a smaller surface. The consequencethereof is a risk of inflammation of the mucous membranes. Furthermore,since the inner wall is not affected at all by the device, there is arisk (extremely small, it is true, but nevertheless existing) offertilization.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvedgynecological device permitting these disadvantages to be obviated.

According to the present invention there is provided a gynecologicaldevice comprising aiesilient filament'having the spiral being of theorder of magnitude of those of a uterine cavity put in such manner that,when introduced through the cervix and placed in position in the saidcavity, the spiral bears resiliently against the mucous membrane andexerts there only a moderate stress per unit of contact surface.

The largest turns may, optionally but with advantage, terminate in abulged or grain-shaped portion serving as an arresting means for theinstrument, for example a slotted trocar, employed for the introductionof the device, at this end, into the uterus cervix. Furthermore, thespiral may terminate, at the opposite side, in a retaining cone having aflexible and extremely thin wall-and suitable for fulfilling the role ofa catch in the cervix and preventing the accidental ejection of thedevice.

The material from which the spiral 1s manufactured must be BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention will now be describedin greater detail by way of example with reference to the accompanyingdrawing, wherein the sole FIGURE is a perspective view of a preferredform of gynecological device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As the drawing shows, the apparatuscomprises a resilient spiral l the section of which is as may be desiredbut which has no roughened portions capable of injuring the tissues, thesuccessive turns decreasing in size downwardly, in such manner that theyare inscribed in a space having approximately the shape of a cone 2having a small angle at the apex.

The largest terminal turn 1a has, at its end a bulged or grainshapedportion 3 which has no roughened portions and the size of which issufficiently small to enable it to be introduced into the uterus cervixwithout it being necessary to distend the latter. The said portion 3 maybe integral with the spiral or may be fitted at the end thereof.

The smallest terminal turn lb has, at its end a thin flexible walledcone 4 which is designed to remain in the cervix, after the placing inposition of the device, so as to constitute, there, a retaining meanspreventing the falling out of the device by being buttressed" at itsedge against the mucous membrane of the cervix.

I claim:

1. A gynecological device comprising a resilient filament having theshape of a spiral, the turns of which decrease in size from one end tothe other so as to fit into a space having the shape of a cone having asmall angle at the apex, and wherein the largest turn terminates in abulged portion serving as a stop means for an instrument which isutilized for the introduction of the device into the uterus cervix, thedimensions of the spiral being of the order of magnitude of those of auterine cavity.

2. A gynecological device according to claim 1, wherein the spiralterminates, on the side of the smallest turn, in a retaining cone havingan extremely thin and flexible wall and suitable for fulfilling the roleof a catch in the cervix, thus preventing the accidental ejection of thedevice.

1. A gynecological device comprising a resilient filament having theshape of a spiral, the turns of which decrease in size from one end tothe other so as to fit into a space having the shape of a cone having asmall angle at the apex, and wherein the largest turn terminates in abulged portion serving as a stop means for an instrument which isutilized for the introduction of the device into the uterus cervix, thedimensions of the spiral being of the order of magnitude of those of auterine cavity.
 2. A gynecological device according to claim 1, whereinthe spiral terminates, on the side of the smallest turn, in a retainingcone having an extremely thin and flexible wall and suitable forfulfilling the role of a catch in the cervix, thus preventing theaccidental ejection of the device.